Michael Robinson: FedEx Field game like working in 'sweat shop'

Jan. 10, 2013
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Seattle Seahawks defensive end Chris Clemons lies on the ground after being injured against the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at FedEx Field. The Seahawks won 24-14. / Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports

by Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY Sports

by Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Players Association is calling for an upgrade to the natural grass field at the Washington Redskins' home stadium, in the wake of the NFC wild-card playoff game on Sunday that saw Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III and Seattle Seahawks defensive end Chris Clemons suffer torn knee ligaments.

The condition of the field drew sharp criticism from Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and several players, but passed the league's certification standards.

"The head coach and players have said themselves that the field was not up to snuff," NFLPA spokesman George Atallah told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday. "We certainly hope that they upgrade it."

Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson pointed a finger at the league.

"The commissioner, and I know it's a tough job, but he doesn't mandate mouthpieces. You care about us, but you don't mandate mouthpieces. You care about us, but we play on that field last week that was like, 'Really? Really?'

"That should be illegal. That's like working in a sweat shop to me."

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan acknowledged issues with the field on Monday. He said that the team will try to address the field for next season, but cautioned that a switch to a surface such Field Turf could raise other questions related to injuries.

"You like a perfect field," Shanahan said. "It wasn't a perfect field. We all know that."

The NFLPA conducts an annual survey of NFL playing fields, but has yet to reveal its findings for this season. In its most recent survey, released before last year's Super Bowl, Atallah said that FedEx Field ranked in the middle of the pack.

"Things seem to have gotten worse since then," Atallah said.

Even so, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the Redskins certified with compliance to a set of standards that each home team must meet. Lack of compliance is subject to discipline from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Carla Boyd of FedEx media relations declined to answer questions about how the company feels about paying to have its name attached to a field that has come under such withering criticism.

She said she could only provide this emailed statement: "Like many stadium sponsors, issues that relate directly to the team's facilities, operations or field maintenance are beyond our scope of involvement."

Guidelines for playing surfaces, from the NFL Game Operations Manual:

Within 72 hours of each home game, all clubs that own or lease their stadiums are required to certify that their fields are in compliance with Recommended Practices for the Maintenance of Infill and Natural Surfaces for NFL Games. If any parts of the playing surface are not in compliance, it must be remediated in accordance with the applicable manufacturer's recommendations at the club's expense. The playing surface must be retested and certified as being in compliance prior to game day. Failure to comply is considered a competitive as well as a player safety issue and will be subject to disciplinary action by the Commissioner's office.

Impact Hardness Test â?? The playing surface should produce a g-max of less than 100 g measured by the Clegg Hammer impact tester in locations as stated in the Recommended Practices for the Maintenance of Infill and Natural Surfaces for NFL Games.

Synthetic Infill Depth and Evenness â?? The infill depth of a playing surface should be measured by using the Floortest FT 50 to calibrate the thickness in locations as stated in the Recommended Practices for the Maintenance of Infill Surfaces for NFL Games.

Visual Inspection â?? The playing surface should be free of any defects or foreign objects through the visual inspection methods as stated in the Recommended Practices for the Maintenance of Infill and Natural Surfaces for NFL Games.

For each home game, clubs are responsible for having the field manager and his staff available to address any playing surface issues.